Whenever I told someone, I’m resigning soon. They’re always giving me a shocking look with the big question WHY!? (Maybe because It’s a given fact that I have a very positive job description) and whenever, they asked WHEN? I kept saying anytime! I’m definite with my answer. Yes, you’ve read it right, ANYTIME. Don’t nod your head left & right while saying NO, till you read my recap, this is not just about “Missing Home“

Being an International Flight Attendant for almost 5 years now. I still believe that everyday is a new learning experience. Flying from one continent to another is still something I considered new to me! Yes, I’m still not used to it! How will I used to a lifestyle that is not considered normal? Yesterday, I’m in New York, Today I’m in Kuala Lumpur, tomorrow, I’ll be in Zurich for the nth time. If I were to elaborate the stories in between, believe me it will fill a hundred page book or more. I’m not complaining and don’t accuse me of bragging here, I’m just innocently telling you my daily not-so-typical lifestyle.

So, here I am came back from a 14hrs flight. My feet are swollen from prolong standing, I feel bloated, my muscles hurts, I’m tired and very sleepy but hey, that doesn’t end there! I still have to unpack then pack again my suitcase for my flight tomorrow. Okay I’ll call it a night! I took shower and ready to sleep, and now guess what!? I’ve been semi-dependent of melatonin sleeping pills for more than 2 years now, Thanks to Jetlag! Iterax, Advil PM, Panadol night even cough syrups named it – I tried it all! Now, Tell me, is that sounds normal to you?

(Every flight usual scenario): visiting a destination I’ve never seen before with lots to do and see. I absorb every minute of the tour take lots of pictures, bought some souvenirs. The next day comes need to wake up early and get ready. It’s time to return to the aircraft!

(pre-vacation Leave usual scenario): bought a 90% discount airfare tickets, day has come, excited to have a holiday! Voila! Flight is FULL Better luck next time! bye bye! (Excerpt from what I wrote 2 years ago:The Truth About Flight Attendant on Travel Benefits.

(Post Vacation) Reminiscinga day in the life of an FA on vacation leave, looking forward for next Manila flight <— That’s one of the things I also considered on my resignation. I stopped bidding other destinations, I only request Manila flights, and whenever they gave me only 1-2 Manila flight it’s still not enough, I still make an effort to swap my nice layover destinations. “There’s no Place Like Home!”

Life has so many turning points. Each turning point involves a choice, a decision to be made . My decision to resign anytime soon is never easy as I still enjoy the perks of travelling and inevitable 6 digits salary! I’m aware that it will cause me to have a major turning point in my life. But I think I’ve had enough, it’s time to welcome a new transition! I agree that the only thing in life that is constant is change! I know that my lifestyle will never be the same, but change will give me more opportunities to grow & develop more!

* AgainBeware of Scammers, There are lots of people out there who loves using my pictures.

My colleague on his early 40’s just passed away after a massive heart attack and later on died. The co-pilot flew the plane and diverted to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A new crew boarded the plane and left Malaysia 2 hours later.

I could have been in that flight. Luckily, I was in New York Flight instead… Indeed, Life is so short, better live life as it was your last day in this world…

MANILA, Philippines – Answering claims of its cabin crew union, Philippine Airlines (PAL) said its flight attendants are well paid and receive some of the best benefits that are the envy of other Filipino workers. The actual gross monthly pay of a PAL cabin crew ranges from P33,000 to P75,000, inclusive of productivity pay and other allowances.“Officers of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) have not been forthright in informing the public of the real salaries and benefits that the PAL cabin crew receives,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna underscored. "FASAP claims their basic pay is below the government set minimum wage, but this is just a portion of their salary.”

“The truth is they receive much, much more," she added. "A domestic crew earns between P34,619 to P37,619 per month, including productivity pay, transportation allowance and rice allocation. An international cabin attendant receives P50,741 to P60,136, while a flight purser gets P67,880 to P73,570," according to Villaluna. While this salary range may be modest compared to the pay scale of giant carriers abroad, this is no small amount by Philippine standards. Hence, claims that PAL cabin crew are overworked and underpaid are not true.Their total pay is composed of the basic salary plus per diem allowances. When staying overnight at an international destination, they get $45-$70.

When on a technical stop, they get $100. In addition, they get $20 for every regional turnaround flight and P185 for every domestic flight. They receive additional pay for every hour in excess of their tour of duty, ranging from $50 + $20 for international flights to P1,250 per hour for domestic. They are likewise given first-class hotel accommodation at domestic and international stations. They also receive transportation allowance, or free pick-up from/to their residences, free meals in flight and on ground. They are entitled to crew shuttle to/from airport and have a thermal clothing allowance twice a year; shoe allowance of P1,200 for males, P800 for females, twice a year; uniform allowance from P11,022 to P16,376 every 18 months and are each given a suitcase costing from P1,563 to P3,647 which is replaced every 2 years. They have complete medical and dental coverage for cabin crew and their qualified dependents, plus 13th & 14th month pay.

Their unused days off as well as unused sick leave are converted to cash. On top of that, they have a perfect attendance award equivalent to one month pay + per diem and retirement benefits of 1.5 month for every year of service. "“All this time FASAP has been presenting to the public and the government a picture that is totally opposite reality. FASAP is free to show proof if the wages and benefits we have just revealed are not true," Villaluna said. PAL also urged FASAP to be truthful in presenting to the public the significant highlights of the four conciliation meetings brokered by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).

"Instead of alarming our passengers with threats of strike, FASAP should at least disclose the exchange of proposals and counter-offers to show who was taking a hardline position during the conciliation meetings," she said. PAL’s offer of P80-million in additional salary plus P25 million in rice allowance (a total of P105 million), change in retirement age to 45 (from 40) and increase in the cabin crew’s maternity benefits were rejected by FASAP who insisted on their original positions before unilaterally declaring a deadlock in the negotiation.

I’ve been watching this trailer over and over again! I’m so touched by the way it has been presented. I’m quite affected by the words too… Aside from offering an exclusive peek into the intriguing world of traveling and flying,I’ve read that the program will also feature many of Philippines famous tourist destinations and it unravels the glamorous, colorful, and fascinating world of the airline industry.

Every once in a while, we all deserve to indulge and pamper ourselves so we can recharge our tired mind and body. I’ve always enjoyed pampering myself by going to spas. Just early this year my mom and I went to The Spa then out of nowhere we had a conversation about starting our own spa business. It was more on kwentuhan lang na parang nangangarap because It’s my dream talaga to have my own spa since I‘m a self confessed spa addict. I didn’t know that my mom was so serious regarding our conversation! Nagulat na lang ako meron na daw 2-storey space for rent siya na nakita, the location was very nice. It‘s in Timog Cor. Scout Torillo in Quezon City (in front of Off The Grill-Near Jade Valley) it’s near lots of restaurant so that it would be convenient for our customers to buy snacks in case they got hungry and also walking distance from condos, schools & other establishments and there are many parking lots available.

* I’m planning to put up a branch near my condo in Mckinley, if anyone is interested to franchise just let me know.

The treatment rooms/beds has the warm and luxurious feel, enhanced further by ambient lighting and the sweet scent of aromatic essential oil in the 2nd floor for massage, scrubs & waxing services, while the 1st floor mainly caters foot spa, manicure, pedicure & Hair Spa services. (Will post the list of services soon).

* Pang billboard sa Edsa hehe!

Last year, I already set my mind that I’m going to resign this year, but while my spa is under construction, I overspend unexpectedly then decided to extend my flying career a “bit” more!

“The secret to happiness is to embrace and appreciate everything that happens in your life. Take life easy and count your blessing… “

Planning for a birthday party is never an easy task. There are many things to consider and prepare for and since I’ve been flying a lot and I’m not based in Manila I handed over all the obligations to my sister Alma, besides from being an HRM college professor, she’s also a well-experienced event planner in fact she’s one of the coordinator of my 18th birthday held at Coconut Palace it was the biggest & grandest celebration I ever had!

Some 25 year olds might be thinking that they want their party to be a little more grown-up but I want my party to be close to my personality. Jolly, lively & Happy. So we’ve conceptualized to make my profession as my theme for the party. Flight Attendants, Boarding pass invitations, Airplanes, Check-in Counter, and Baggage Counter – An Airport aura!

It was held in Shangri-la Restaurant at West Ave. QC. The party started around 7:30 pm. It started with a song number “Beautiful Girl” by Jose Mari Chan. (It was a nice classic love song. I really like songs that make me feel serenaded that’s why most of my favorite songs are sung by male artists.) Since I don’t have an escort/partner or whatever you wanna call it, hehe! My 16yrs old brother came to the stage to dance me! “Tawa tuloy ako ng tawa sa stage kasi sabi ko wag na ako isayaw magmumukang JS Prom ang party! Hahaha!”

I actually have no idea what’s in the program so everything is a surprise for me! I felt like a guest to my own party! Hehe! My sister didn’t even bother to tell me at least the sequence of the things that’s going to happen! At one point I was busy table hopping then I’ll just hear the host calling my name and believe it or not I haven’t watch the AVP until it was played during my birthday itself! But credits to Ingrid Cabrido for the well edited video presentation.

After the AVP, another song rendered by the singer/host from Abs-Cbn’s Singing Bee – Christopher Cose, entitled “How did you Know” (I never get tired of listening to this song everyday!) from what I remember, the chinese cuisines main course are already being served at this time.

There’s more… there’s also a game! Mechanics are very easy, You must be able to say “Would you like Chicken or Beef” after drinking a pure calamansi extract! Most of the participants are the 4 pretty attendants during my birthday! They are the one in-charge in the registration/check in counter and lead guests to their seats. (I forgot to thank them during my speech (my apologies) pero super thanks talaga sa efforts. I’ll tell Alma to give you all a hundred score sa exam! Hehe Joke!)

It was all good. Very worth it…I won’t mention any names na to avoid tampuhan, but thanks sa lahat ng pumunta you made it more special than it already was…THANKS for flying with me…